But in contrast these men [ i.e. current day Romans ], the most cowardly types, through the worst kind of criminality take from our allies all of their possessions, which the bravest of men had left behind: just as if inflicting harm is the only (demum) use of imperium.

Is 'esset' a potential subjunctive? Or am I looking at the protasis of a Future Less Vivid (the apodosis being supplied by 'quasi iniuram facere')?

fieri postest ut errem sed rem aliter video - isn't this a case of a contrary to fact condition in the present; they did these things exactly if such abuse were (but it isn't) the only purpose of empire?